Colorado's national parks have spectacular vistas, scenic drives, and opportunities to spot wildlife. There's a walk for everyone here, whether you want to walk with your kids or hike hard. Did we mention that the sun was shining? It lasts for 300 days a year.
Visitor numbers grow year after year, but don't let that stop you. There are many national parks in Colorado.
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One of the most visited national parks in the US is Rocky Mountain National Park. This giant contains hundreds of granite peaks and is large enough to hold many animals.
It is to be had all year long. During the summer months, the park is filled with lakes and wildflowers, while in the winter it is covered in snow.
The busiest time of year for the park is during the summer months. Those with kids in tow might consider the easy hikes in the Wild Basin to Calypso Falls, or to Gem Lake in the Lumpy Ridge area; hikers with unlimited ambition, strong legs, and enough trail mix, will be lured by the challenge of summiting the park's epic fourteen
Many herds of bighorn sheep, black bear and other animals can be found on hundreds of thousands of acres of back country.
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During the warmer months, the Trail Ridge Road is a must-visit, as it is the highest continuously paved road in the US.
The Highway to the Sky offers sweeping mountain vistas of pine-dotted slopes and blindingly white tundra, as well as numerous turnoffs that allow visitors to step out of their cars to view the scenery.
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There are four entrances to the park, including three on the east side and one on the west side.
The park entrance fee for private vehicles is $30 per day, $35 per seven days, and for motorcycles is $30 per day. Kids under the age of 15 are free to enter. A yearly pass costs $80.
There are 63 national parks in the United States.
Mesa Verde National Park is home to the largest and best-preserved Indigenous American archaeological site in the US. The UNESCO World Heritage site is located near the Four Corners region and spans 81 square miles. Today is a great place for explorers of all ages, who can climb down ladders, see rock art, and learn about the first Americans.
The most rewarding way to visit Mesa Verde is to take a ranger led tour. In order to enter the site, which is believed to be home to about 25 families, visitors must climb down a stone stairway and four 10 foot ladders.
The best hikes in Colorado are in the mountain range.
The tour of Balcony House requires visitors to descend a 100ft staircase into the canyon, climb a 32ft ladder, crawl through a 12ft tunnel, and climb an additional 60ft of ladders to get out. It's not for everyone. The panoramic views of Soda Canyon are 600 feet below the sandstone overhang that used to be the ceiling for 35 to 40 rooms.
A six mile driving tour along the Mesa Top loop road is an alternative to scrambling through the cliff dwellings. The road leads to a number of archaeological sites and overlooks cliff dwellings. The overview film provides a good introduction to the exhibits at the museum.
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The Far View Lodge and Morefield Campground are close to the general store and gas station. It is easy to take a day trip from Mesa Verde to either Mancos or Cortez. Entrance to the park is cheaper from November to April and from May to October. There is an annual pass. The Ranger-led tours range from $8 to $25 and can be reserved 14 days in advance.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in a state better known for its snowy peaks and mountain passes.
The hiking possibilities are endless because there is no trail through this sandscape. It isn't easy. Walking up the dunes feels like taking a half-step back for every step forward. They start at an altitude of 7200 feet and need plenty of water. It's worth it.
The first Informal Hike is to High Dune, which leaves from a parking area just past the visitor center. Star Dune is the tallest sand dune in North America at 755 feet high.
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Sand sledding and sandboarding are fun ways for the young and willing to take a few spills. Special wood sleds are great for rides. The Great Sand Dunes Oasis is just outside the park, and there are rentals there.
The Medano Creek is created by the snow that falls from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. When the water flows in small waves over the sandy floor, it creates a seasonal beach that is ideal for wading, splashing, even skim-boarding and inner-tubing.
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You can reserve camping early at the Pion Flats campground if you want to get away from it all. The entrance fee to the park is fifteen dollars per person, fifteen dollars per motorcycle, twenty dollars per non-commercial vehicle, and forty dollars per family.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of the most spectacular canyons in the country.
You will leave the park with a sense of awe no matter how you experience it.
The South and North Rims of the national park are separated by a canyon. The South Rim Road, a paved road that leads to 11 spectacular overlooks at the edge of the canyon, is popular with most visitors.
Three demanding hikes from the South Rim are awe-inspiring but are only recommended for experienced hikers.
There is a dirt road leading to the North Rim entrance. Most of the rock climbing routes are located in remote areas of the canyon. The Painted Wall is Colorado's tallest vertical cliff face and is named for its marble stripes.
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It is a good base for day-trippers if you want to go to South Rim. The community of Crawford is close to the North Rim and has basic services. One of the campgrounds at the park is on each rim. It's important to reserve a spot in advance since both fill up fast. The East Portal Campground is located at the bottom of the canyon and only accessible from the South Rim.
The entrance fee to the national park is fifteen dollars for individuals, fifteen dollars for motorcyclists, twenty dollars for vehicles and fifty dollars for an annual pass. Permits are required for rock climbing and hiking to the river bottom.
About 6 hours ago, this article was updated.
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